The kupu bush, unique to a South Pacific island, is habitat to poisonous butterflies yet promises to enable cheap energy, cure disease and end world hunger. When a London conglomerate secures trading rights and sends James Harvey to fetch samples, he faces government spies, commercial rivals and murder – also falls in love. Superpowers contend for the independent island, where Russia plans a naval base. After James agrees to help the island princess regain her throne, they seek justice at the United Nations. Here violence flares anew as ruthless foes prepare to kill them